Cairo-Los Angeles
Friendship Committee

Height: 24 feet
Width: 18 feet
Length: 55 feet

With its astounding beauty, the ancient river Nile stood as witness over the dawn of history and the rise of mankind's earliest civilization 7,000 years ago. Her rich fertile river valleys, laced with towering temples and great shrines was the foundation of life. Egypt’s history making past and her pleasure-loving people, the creators of antiquity's richest most fascinating cultures, are the inspirations of this magical moment, Celebrating the Treasures of Egypt. With Egypt being the only country in the world mentioned in all three Holy Books of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The mysterious past is magnificently portrayed in this dazzling collection of treasures and artifacts celebrating Egypt. Leading the procession, a sacred falcon stands guard over stylized lotus blossoms from Upper Egypt and papyrus plants from Lower Egypt, symbolizing the union of these two lands. Featured against a splendid throne adorned with hieroglyphics are impressive statues of King Ramses II and Queen Nofretari, which are flanked by floral flames in torchiere bowls. A bejeweled floral-inlaid falcon sun god is imbedded in the top of the throne. Reproductions of twin obelisks, which are presently located in the Al Andalus Garden on Gezira Island in Cairo, flank this floral setting and symbolize the stability and creative forces of the solar god Ra. Many floral materials have been imported directly from Egypt for exclusive use on this Rose Parade float. Jeweled-toned gardens of golden Sphinx and Cairo roses complete this entry.

The beauty of Egypt, past and present, is magnificently portrayed in this dazzling collection of treasures and artifacts.

The skin tones of Ramses II and Queen Nofretari have been artfully created in ground walnut shell. Their clothing is woven from textures of gold, yellow, white and red button mums and strawflower petals with accents of golden flax seed, blue sinuata statice and green ti leaves. Gold chrysanthemums, red and orange carnations and roses, blue sinuata statice and purple dendrobium orchids add rich jewel tones to the inlaid artifacts. Floral flames of orange and yellow marigold petals and white coconut are accented by sculptured floral gardens of iris, papyrus with red Cleopatra roses. Urns overflow with opulent floral displays including special materials imported directly from Egypt. Papyrus and Umbrella palm (native to the Nile) are used extensively throughout the float. Giant stylized lotus blossoms hold floral fountains of purple kale, dendrobium and phalaenopsis orchids. Stairways of tailored cornhusk and walls of lotus leaves create patterns over gardens of intense golden Sphinx and Cairo roses.

Over 40,000 colored roses including vibrate red Cleopatra and gold Sphinx and Cairo roses complete the deck gardens. New varieties of roses, grown exclusively to use on this float, include vibrate red Cleopatra and golden Sphinx and Cairo roses.

Special materials imported directly from Egypt include Papyrus and Umbrella palm (native to the Nile) and agapanthus blossoms. New varieties of roses, grown exclusively to use on this float, include vibrate red Cleopatra and golden Sphinx and Cairo roses.